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McIlroy named PGA of America Player of the Year

September 17, 2014
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland celebrates after playing an eagle on the 16th hole during the third day of the British Open Golf championship at the Royal Liverpool golf club, Hoylake, England, Saturday July 19, 2014. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland won his second Player of the Year award on Wednesday. (AP)

The Korea Times Los Angeles staff

Despite coming up short in the 2014 FedEx Cup playoffs, Rory McIlroy won the PGA of America Player of the Year Award to cap off a career season.

The other nominees included Bubba Watson, Martin Kaymer, Jimmy Walker and Billy Horschel, winner of the FedEx Cup and the accompanying $10 million prize money.

In addition to his second Player of the Year award, Rory managed to win the Vardon Trophy, which is awarded to the player with the lowest adjusted scoring average. McIlroy beat out his fellow competitor, Sergio Garcia, with an average of 68.62 to 68.95.

In his arguably best season yet, McIlroy won two majors and a World Golf Championship title at Firestone Country Club where he finally reclaimed his world number one ranking.

When Ewan Murray of The Guardian asked about the FedEx Cup results, Rory replied “I really wanted to win… I was coming in with really high hopes and expectations, and I haven’t quite been able to play the golf to live up to those.”

If anything, it sounds like McIlroy will be entering the Ryder Cup and the subsequent 2015 season with a chip on his shoulder as the golf world waits to see if he can exceed his own expectations.

Beginning September 23rd, Europe will battle the United States for the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles in Scotland. Look out for Rory as one of the dominant forces for the European side.